Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has put the State of Queensland within easier reach of more international visitors and will give Queenslanders more convenient access to its extensive global network following the launch today of daily non-stop flights between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United
Arab Emirates, has put the State of Queensland within easier reach of more
international visitors and will give Queenslanders more convenient access to
its extensive global network following the launch today of daily non-stop
flights between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways flight EY484 departed the airline’s
home base, Abu Dhabi, at 10pm yesterday and will arrive in Brisbane at 5.50pm
today where it will be met by a traditional water cannon salute. Return flight
EY485 will depart Brisbane for Abu Dhabi at 9.35pm today and arrive in Abu
Dhabi at 6am local time.

The new non-stop flights are operated by Etihad
Airways’ brand new three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which features the
airline’s ground-breaking next generation First Suite, Business Studio and
Economy Smart Seat.

The Dreamliner flights offer First Class on the
Brisbane – Abu Dhabi route for the first time ever and will replace the daily
one-stop services which the airline previously operated via Singapore with a
two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive
Officer, James Hogan, said the flights were a reflection of Etihad Airways’
enduring commitment to the Queensland travel market and the strong performance
of the Brisbane route.

“By retiming our Brisbane-Abu Dhabi flights with
evening departures in both directions and removing the stop in Singapore, we
can now offer guests the convenience of shorter travel times and two-way
connectivity to more than 30 destinations in the GCC, Middle East, Africa and
Europe.

“Our nonstop flights also offer improved
connectivity from regional Queensland and guests can now connect seamlessly
with Etihad Airways’ evening Brisbane services by flying with partner airline
Virgin Australia from 13 towns and cities across the state.

“From a guest experience perspective, the unique
features of the Dreamliner aircraft have enabled us to customise it with the
most innovative and sophisticated cabins. Brisbane travellers will be among the
first in the world to experience the unparalleled comfort and luxury of this
ground-breaking aircraft.”

First Class guests onboard the 787-9 Dreamliner
will be offered an enhanced suite with a chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and
centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed. Business Class guests
will have the space and comfort of the airline’s new Business Studios – each
offering direct aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches in
length. In the Economy Class cabin, the innovative Economy Smart Seat provides
enhanced comfort with a unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat.

Mr Hogan highlighted the benefits to the State of
Queensland as a result of the upgraded non-stop Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services.

“The commencement of our non-stop flights puts
Etihad Airways in a stronger than ever position to attract international
travellers to the State of Queensland and to contribute to Queensland’s economic development.

“It’s now easier than ever for overseas
travellers to explore more of
Queensland’s abundant visitor attractions and its diverse landscapes.”

Julieanne
Alroe, Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and Managing Director, said the arrival
of Etihad Airways’ 787-9 Dreamliner was an exciting milestone for Brisbane.

“These
new aircraft arrivals will always go down in history as significant moments in
aviation and we are delighted Etihad Airways’ has committed one of its first
787-9 Dreamliner aircraft between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi.

“We’re
proud of our long standing partnership with Etihad Airways that spans more than
seven years and the new direct route and upgraded aircraft confirms Etihad
Airways’ commitment to Brisbane and Queensland,” Ms Alroe said.

Etihad Airways’ new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will
carry 235 guests – eight in First Class, 28 in Business Class and 199 in
Economy Class. Passengers on the B787-9 Dreamliner enjoy improvements such as
the industry’s largest windows; air that is cleaner, more humid and at a higher
pressure for better comfort; large overhead stowage bins, soothing LED
lighting; and technology to sense and counter turbulence for a smoother ride.

Etihad Airways commenced three weekly flights to
Brisbane via Singapore in 2007 and increased frequency to daily on 1 February
2013.

The airline has strong ties with the Queensland
Government and its agency, Tourism & Events Queensland. It has previously
supported major marketing initiatives such as the Million Dollar Memo, and in
2011, donated $1 million to the Queensland
Flood Appeal. Its shareholder, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, also donated $30
million to the Government of Queensland to build five category five cyclone
shelters for use as multi-purpose centres year round.

Etihad Airways operates 32 flights per week
between Australia and Abu Dhabi. This will increase to 39 weekly flights from 1
August 2015 when Etihad Airways adds a second daily flight between Abu Dhabi
and Melbourne. In addition to this, Etihad Airways codeshares on partner
airline Virgin Australia’s three weekly Sydney-Abu Dhabi services.